Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasized the need to avoid military intervention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza, warning that such actions would only exacerbate the suffering of the people and fuel violence in the region. Erdogan made his remarks during talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, where he underscored Turkey’s commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace.
In a lengthy statement posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Erdogan expressed Turkey’s willingness to mediate between the parties involved, including offering prisoner exchanges if requested. He also revealed that he had engaged in discussions with Arab leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to explore potential avenues for resolving the crisis.
Describing the talks with Herzog as “very productive,” Erdogan pledged to expand Turkey’s diplomatic contacts and exert every effort to end the conflict. Reports from the Israeli media indicate that the Turkish leader cautioned against indiscriminate strikes on Gaza and the imposition of collective punishment on Palestinians.
Erdogan held Israel partly responsible for the outbreak of violence, citing a pattern of policies that he claimed harassed and disregarded the safety of Palestinian people, leading to conflicts and unrest. He condemned attacks on Israeli civilians while also highlighting the oppression, cruelty, extrajudicial killings, and threats to the life and property of Palestinians by Israeli authorities and illegal settlers. Erdogan deemed the disproportionate destruction of Gaza and attacks on Israeli cities as completely unacceptable.
The Turkish president urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign against Gaza and called on Palestinians to cease the harassment of civilian settlements in Israel. He emphasized the importance of acting rationally, with coolness and human conscience, rather than impulsively.
As of now, there has been no public response from either side regarding Erdogan’s offer. However, according to reports in The Sun, the Hamas militant group in Gaza has shown openness to discussing a potential truce with Israel. The recent developments followed a major attack launched by Hamas, in which militants breached the border between Gaza and Israeli territories, briefly overrunning nearby settlements and launching thousands of missiles at Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 900 Israelis, according to authorities.
In response, the Israeli military carried out extensive airstrikes on Gaza, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a complete siege of the Palestinian exclave. The measures include cutting off electricity, fuel, and food supplies to the region, which is home to over 2 million people.
In conclusion, Erdogan’s statements reiterate Turkey’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Turkish president emphasized the need to avoid further violence and suffering, calling on both sides to act with reason and humanity. While the response to Erdogan’s offer remains unclear, his efforts to restore peace in the region reflect Ankara’s proactive approach in resolving the ongoing crisis.
Source link
